Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 57
The Glory of Kailāsa, the Gaṅgā Lake, and Ratneśvara
Entry into the Kuñjala–Kapiñjala Narrative
कपिंजलेन प्रोवाच विस्तराच्छृण्वतो मुनेः
kapiṃjalena provāca vistarācchṛṇvato muneḥ
かくしてカピンジャラは詳しく語り、聖仙は心を澄ませて聴き入った。
Kapiñjala
Concept: Sacred narration requires two virtues: the speaker’s clarity and the listener’s attentive receptivity; śravaṇa itself is transformative.
Application: Practice deep listening—during scripture study, satsang, or even daily conversations—without distraction; let attention become an offering.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kapiñjala begins a flowing, detailed narration, his hand raised in gentle emphasis, while the muni sits utterly still, eyes lowered in concentration. The space feels hushed and charged, as if each syllable becomes a lamp lighting the inner mind.","primary_figures":["Kapiñjala (speaker)","mুনি (attentive listener)"],"setting":"Quiet āśrama interior with a low seat, manuscript bundle, and a small oil lamp; background softened to keep focus on speaker and listener.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","lamp gold","soft white","sage green","umber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kapiñjala speaking with gold leaf halo and ornate border, the listening muni seated in calm posture, lamp-lit interior with rich maroons and greens, embossed gold detailing on textiles and manuscript stand, devotional didactic mood.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: subdued night-time āśrama scene with a single lamp, delicate brushwork capturing the muni’s attentive gaze, cool blues and gentle gold highlights, refined facial features and minimalistic serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm lamp glow against deep background, Kapiñjala in expressive teaching gesture, muni in meditative listening pose, traditional pigment palette and temple-panel framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of kathā-recitation framed by lotus and floral borders, deep indigo cloth ground with gold accents, hanging lamps and stylized vines, emphasizing śravaṇa-kīrtana devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft bell at cadence points","night insects","page rustle","measured silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vistarācchṛṇvato = vistarāt + śṛṇvataḥ (t + ś → cch).
FAQs
The verse explicitly says Kapiñjala is the speaker (kapiñjalena provāca).
It signals a transition into an extended explanation: Kapiñjala is about to narrate something “in detail,” while the sage assumes the role of attentive listener.
It highlights the Purāṇic ideal of śravaṇa (reverent listening): wisdom is received through patient, focused hearing from a qualified narrator.